Company to Provide Free Phone Calls December 22 - January 5
ASHBURN, Va., December 22, 2003 - In an effort to bring military families,
friends and loved ones together this holiday season, MCI is providing free
telephone calls December 22 through January 5 to US Armed Forces personnel
stationed in Iraq. In addition, MCI is distributing prepaid calling cards,
reducing calling rates and making resources, technology and employee support available around the world for military personnel and their families. "When you can't be home for the holidays, a phone call can lift your spirit and ease your mind," said Jerry Edgerton, senior vice president of MCI Government Markets. "MCI is proud to help bring families together this holiday season, especially for the service men and women defending our country."
For those service members in Iraq, MCI has established calling locations at
strategic military sites in the country. The MCI calling centers will be outfitted with more than 45 phones and military personnel will be able to make free calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the calling centers will be connected to a network MCI built in Iraq to specifically
support morale phone calls.
In an effort to help those military troops and families traveling through,
stationed or recuperating in the United States, MCI has provided more than 93,000, 100-minute pre-paid calling cards to military support groups for distribution this holiday season. Calling cards have also been provided to Walter Reed and Bethesda Medical centers and for distribution at Baltimore Washington and Atlanta Hartsfield airports. These calling cards will enable troops and their families to make free local, long distance and international calls from anywhere in the United States.
As part of its continued support for the Marine Corps personnel stationed in
Okinawa and Camp Fuji Japan, MCI will lower its rates from December 20 to January 5 for telephone calls placed to the United States. Many of the service men and women in Japan have been involved in the U.S. military
efforts in the war against terrorism.
MCI will also complete Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) calls for free. Service members located around the globe, using single channel radio to the states, will be able to place these calls.
About WorldCom, Inc.
WorldCom, Inc. (WCOEQ, MCWEQ), which, together with its subsidiaries,
currently conducts business under the MCI brand name, is a leading global
communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced
communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With
the industry's most expansive global IP backbone, based on the number of
company-owned POPs, and wholly-owned data networks, WorldCom develops the
converged communications products and services that are the foundation for
commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com/.
| Area: | Global |
| Name: | Natasha Haubold |
| Role: | MCI Public Relations |
| Tel: | 800-644-NEWS |
